One of the most common causes of excess tearing is dry eyes. Drying causes the eyes to become uncomfortable, which stimulates the body to produce too many tears. One of the main tests for tearing is to check whether the eyes are too dry.

Home Care

Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. Therefore it is important to determine the cause before treating yourself at home.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Tearing is rarely an emergency. You should seek help right away if:

Chemicals gets into the eye

You have severe pain, bleeding, or loss of vision

You have a severe injury to the eye

Also, contact your health care provider if you have:

A scratch on the eye

Something in the eye

Painful, red eyes

A lot of discharge coming from the eye

Long-term, unexplained tearing

Tenderness around the nose or sinuses

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The doctor will examine your eyes and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. Questions may include:

When did the tearing start?

How often does it happen?

Does it affect both eyes?

Do you have vision problems?

Do you wear contacts or glasses?

Does the tearing happen after an emotional or stressful event?

Do you have eye pain or other symptoms, including headache, stuffy or runny nose, or joint or muscle aches?